Monopoly Buster Ballot: Round 2 expands to 10

March 26, 2010

Today, Senator Kirk Watson sent this letter to candidates competing in the Monopoly Buster Ballot:

Dear Representative,

I want to thank you again for your participation in the Monopoly Buster Ballot campaign. Yesterday, we exceeded the 10,000-vote threshold – as well as all expectations for the success of this effort. The organization and energy that have gone into the last 10 days have been inspiring.

The question now is how to keep that energy flowing. As I’ve said before, while the $10,000 contribution that just one legislator will receive provides an excellent catalyst, it isn’t the biggest benefit of the Ballot. Instead, the biggest benefit will be the social media networks and email contacts that every representative will reap from participating. Clearly, this is a rare opportunity to get and keep Democrats engaged in your campaigns, and I want to do all I can to maximize it.

Yesterday, I received a letter from our State Party Chairman, Boyd Richie, which is attached. Noting the positive effect that the Ballot has had in these legislative races, Chairman Richie proposed extending its benefits by doubling the number of candidates who move on to Round 2. I think it’s a great suggestion – one that dovetails with some things I’ve heard and thoughts I’ve had about this effort and where we should go from here. And I’m writing to let you know that I’m taking his advice.

After Round 1 ends at 5 p.m. today, I will announce the ten candidates who will move on to Round 2. I believe that increasing participation and making the Ballot more open will cause the benefits to multiply, as well.

Most of the other rules – including the $10,000 to the candidate with the most online votes, and $1,500 to the runner up – will remain unchanged. I was asked by a blogger this week about traditional systems to verify emails, and some of those will be incorporated into Round 2 as well.

I’ll be sending out another letter this afternoon to the incumbents who finish in the Top 10, describing the process for the next week. Good luck. And no matter what happens, I look forward to working with you as the campaign turns toward November.